Josie Baff Triumphs in Snowboard Cross to Claim Gold
Josie Baff has made headlines by winning Australia’s second gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This remarkable feat occurred during the women’s snowboard cross final held on a Friday in Livigno. Baff’s victory follows closely behind skier Cooper Woods, who secured gold in the men’s moguls just a day earlier.
Significant Achievement in Australian Winter Sports
With her win, Baff becomes part of an elite group of Australian athletes who have achieved dual gold medals in a single Winter Olympics. The last instance of this was in 2010, when Torah Bright and Lydia Lassila triumphed in Vancouver. Prior to that, Steven Bradbury and Alisa Camplin claimed gold in 2002 at the Salt Lake City Games.
Josie Baff’s Journey to Victory
The 23-year-old from Jindabyne demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the competition. She faced formidable opponents, including:
- Silver medallist Eva Adamczykova from Czechia, ranked world No. 7
- Bronze medallist Michela Moioli from Italy, ranked world No. 4
Baff, currently ranked world No. 2, overcame several challenges in her path to gold. Notable victories included:
- Defeating world No. 1 Charlotte Bankes in the quarter-finals
- Eliminating world No. 9 Sina Siegenthaler in the process
- Overcoming world No. 3 Julia Nirani-Pereira in the semi-finals
Previous Achievements
Baff’s journey in competitive snowboarding began at the Youth Olympics, where she won her first gold medal in 2020 in Lausanne. Her Olympic debut came in Beijing in 2022, where she finished 17th overall in snowboard cross.
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